Wolf plans to run at Roberts from his right, and Sunflower State insiders say he could make the incumbent sweat. He plans to stress his strong opposition to raising the debt ceiling and voting for any bill that would fund Obamacare.

“I’m here today to reclaim the American Dream for all Kansans and all Americans,” Wolf intended to say at a rally in Overland Park, according to remarks shared ahead of time with POLITICO.

In a release announcing his candidacy, the challenger, who favors term limits, took a shot at Robers for seeking “a fourth decade” in Congress. Roberts was first elected to the House in 1980.

Wolf attracted attention from media in 2009 for being, as the president’s second cousin once removed, an outspoken critic of Obamacare.

Roberts’ campaign expressed confidence, noting in a statement that Heritage Action has ranked him the fifth most conservative senator. Every statewide elected official up for election in 2014 has backed him, including Gov. Sam Brownback, as well as 77 of 92 Republicans in the state House and 31 of the 32 Republicans in the state Senate.

The statement from the Roberts campaign noted that he also has an “A” rating from the NRA and Gun Owners of America, as well as a 100 percent rating from the anti-abortion group Right to Life.

“Dr. Wolf will have many questions to answer regarding his position on major issues,” said Towns. “Because he is unknown to most Kansas Republicans, he also will need to answer important questions regarding his qualifications, his medical business, including patient privacy issues, and the extent his business relies on government payments.”

Wolf’s campaign declined to respond. The senator’s statement makes clear that the 77-year-old incumbent, a onetime Marine captain, is ready for a bare-knuckled fight.